Elizabeth Steinglass

Poetry for Children and their Grownups

Should I compare our love to this full moon? No way! Each month its light takes off alone. A rose? The petals swoon and fray too soon. Our aging love is like an old, gray stone. We share this ever-present weight, too great To move, too there to notice much, unless You stumble into it. Your toe’s poor fate Reminds you to regard what you possess. The endless sometime flow of rain and tears, Unfinished kids, dishes, bills, day and night, The moments snatched from sleep for all these years, Has rubbed our stone until it’s smooth and right. Who cares that others don’t discern its shine. This old, gray stone is only yours and mine.

So many songs, stories, and poems are about the excitement and/or despair of early love. What about lasting love? Does anyone have a favorite text about love that stands the test of time?

Charming Liz–love the ever-present weight/your toe’s poor fate (not sure what that means if I relate to love as a toe-stubbing presence.) And also love this smooth gray stone that reminds me of Lake Michigan.

It’s just so beautiful, Liz. My husband found a rock that looks just like a baked potato and gave it to me one year. I think now it will mean even more, although that rock sits in my kitchen reminding me about the little things that are important, like you wrote too. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Beautiful sonnet, Liz! I can feel the love and commitment in every line, but this line struck me especially because my love and I are experiencing it as well: “Unfinished kids, dishes, bills, day and night,” You captured a long lasting relationship perfectly. Happy Valentine’s Day! <3

A winner, Liz, in the quiet steady manner of a smooth grey stone. Makes me wish I had read it before I chose the ee cummings poem– written on hearts and pinned in 5 pieces to five freshly ironed shirts in valentine colors– that I gave Fiona as a gift. Chocolate, flowers, diamonds? Old love appreciates laundry, watch batteries and cups of tea in bed. : ) Happy V day to you and David.